Mark Streit

There is no way around describing what this 2014-15 Philadelphia Flyers team is. You can say they're a team in transition.

The word transition is not something that owners like to use or that fans like to hear. But it truly is the perfect way to explain this Flyers team.

It is not shocking at all either that the Flyers would end up this way. Ron Hextall was promoted to general just this spring, so he himself is still trying to make the team his own. He was left tied up with a few mistakes made by previous GM Paul Holmgren, and has been unable to reverse moves that were made prior to his promotion.

The future for the defense of the Philadelphia Flyers is extremely bright.

Players such as Samuel Morin and Robert Hagg, along with Shayne Gostisbehere are not far from being NHL ready. And the expectations are very high for when they are ready.

Until then, the Flyers have a bit of an issue on the back end. Veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen’s future in professional hockey is in question as he is out indefinitely due to blood clots in his lungs and right calf. The loss of Timonen will likely expose some of the issues that the Flyers have on the blue line.

Regular season hockey may be a couple weeks away but the NHL is back and in game form.

The Flyers split their training camp roster in half, sending one group to the Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario for a game against the Maple Leafs while the other half stayed home to host the Washington Capitals. The games resulted in a win at home and a shootout loss on the road.

Although the New York Islanders missed the playoffs this season, many players that were dressed for the team and traded made significant contributions to their new team's post-season run to the Cup (Photo credit: Michael Cummo Photography/Flickr).

Henrik Lundqvist wasn't the only person standing in the way of the Flyers on Tuesday.

The New York Rangers goaltender had an entire team jumping in front of pucks, helping the Swedish netminder stop the Flyers' constant barrage of shots. It resulted in a 4-1 win for the Rangers and a 2-1 series lead.

The two teams will face off in Game 4 on Friday in Philadelphia. And if the Flyers want some type of good news heading into that game, it looks like Steve Mason will be starting.

By virtue of finishing third place in the Metropolitan Division, the Flyers have drawn the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. The Flyers and Rangers split their season series, with both teams winning twice on home ice.

The Flyers found out who their first round opponent in the playoffs will be.

The Flyers beat the Penguins 4-3 in overtime, clinching third place in the Metropolitan Division. It will set up a first round series with the New York Rangers, who the Flyers have had a poor track record with this season.

Regardless of their unexpected success taking them into the playoffs last year, there were many areas that the Islanders needed to improve coming into the current season. The core of the team was established, but among many other things the defensive corps was a major concern and the departure of captain Mark Streit only made things worse.